SVB Update For most of us, the words “bank failure” immediately trigger the same recent memory: the financial crisis of 2008. That was a year no investor could ever forget. The year some of the largest, most storied financial institutions in the world — think Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and others — collapsed, never…
Questions You Were Afraid To Ask The only bad question is the one left unasked. That’s the premise behind this series. Each covers a different investing-related question that many people have but are afraid to ask. Last month, I answered the question, “What’s the difference between the various types of bonds?” This month, I’d…
If you’re a big fan of St. Patrick’s Day, you will wake up on the 17th, daydreaming of what’s to come. You can smell delicious, corned beef, cabbage, and the faint richness of Guinness floating in the air. You can almost taste it. Everywhere you look, you’re seeing green. Shamrocks on clothing, grand banners, even…
Here We Go Again “Here we go again.” That’s a line from Return of the Jedi, delivered by C-3PO just before he and his friends prepare to go out on another harrowing adventure. In the movie, poor 3PO was referring to taking down the Death Star, but he could have easily been referring to…
How long will you live? It turns out this vitally important question tends to be given little thought by most. In the last two weeks I’ve reviewed three articles on this subject. Here’s one from Fox Business. New studies disclose that very few Americans know or understand their life expectancy. Because of…
It’s tax time! For many of you it’s a complicated few months if not more because of extensions. Many of you may have received all of the tax forms you need and your ready to file. Other’s will need to wait a bit. Some may also get revised 1099s and other tax forms…never fun!…
Questions You Were Afraid To Ask Some time ago, I wrote a series called “Questions You Were Afraid to Ask.” Each installment answered a common question many investors have but feel uncomfortable asking. When I was young, I was taught that “The only bad question is the one left unasked.” As a financial…
The Art of Conversation Many people think that, as a financial professional, I spend all day with my head buried in numbers, following the movement of the markets. And it’s true – that is a big part of what I do. But the most important part of my job – and, quite frankly, my…
Don’t Take It Too Soon This topic will affect millions of people in our country. It seems every day I answer some form of the same question, “When should I (or we) take Social Security benefits?” For many this benefit may be the largest asset they have. And this one decision may be…
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Whether you reached your personal goals last year or faced challenges, a new year always brings new opportunities and a fresh start. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, popularly known as the SECURE Act, was signed into law in late 2019.…